Popular Culture

Vernon Little contextualizes his life through images from popular culture. Movies and television programs in general have taught Vernon truth always wins in the end, a certitude that sustains him throughout his murder trial and unsuccessful appeal of his death sentence, while Against All Odds specifically allows him to imagine the TV-movie of his own life. It's about a crusty, mixed-up kid hopping a bus for Mexico, meeting an uncrusty blond cowgirl wearing bikinis beneath her Levi's, and living happily ever-after in beach house in Mexico. Life appears to be following art until Taylor betrays Vernon and sends him home for trial. Vernon often admonishes himself for lacking the courage and determination of Jean-Claude Van Damme or James Bond, initially sees Lally as Ricardo Moltenbomb (Montalban) on Fantasy Island, pictures Mom being played by Kathy Bates in Misery, and nicknames his first attorney after Ricochet Rabbit. Both...